About
Photo by University of Wyoming
Charles Parson’s multi-faceted work includes drawings, prints, paintings, sculptures, installations, stage designs and performance art, as well as monumental public sculptures. His work has been viewed in galleries, art centers and museums throughout the U.S. He has 75 One-person exhibitions, as well as numerous regional and national showings in group shows. Additionally he has produced many alternative public art events and large-scale temporary installations.
Parson studied traditional landscape painting at the A. E. Backus Studio in Ft. Pierce, Florida from 1962-1966. This was during the same time and place as the emergence of the group called The Florida Highwaymen. He received a BFA from the Kansas City Arts Institute after studies from 1966-1970, majoring in Painting and Drawing, minor in Printmaking. He received a Master of Fine Arts degree from Cranbrook Academy of Art with a major in Painting and a minor in Materials Technology in 1972. He did supplemental studies at the Western States Film Institute and Munt-Brooks Dance Studio, Denver.
Parson’s work has been extensively reviewed, and has been the subject of many feature articles. He has appeared numerous times on television and radio, discussing both his art and the state of the arts. Reviews, features and articles on his work have appeared in many publications, such as the Chicago New Art Examiner, Artspace Magazine, Art Express magazine, American Artist, Plano-Star Courier, Dallas Morning News, The Denver Post, Rocky Mountain News, Westword, Straight Creek Arts Journal, Artweek, Upper Larimer Arts and Times, Detroit Free Press, Miami Herald, Pontiac Press, Icon Arts Journal, The Los Angeles Times, Orlando Sentinel, the New York New Times, Sculptural Pursuit Magazine, and in the mid-western Literary/Arts magazine Porcupine to name a few. Most recently Colorado Public Television’s “Arts District” as well as “5280” have done features on Parson and his family’s activities in the world of the Colorado art scene.
Awards are the Denver Art Museum’s Alliance for Contemporary Arts 1999 AFKEY Award. In the mid-90’s he was given the Innovation in the Arts Award from the Colorado Federation of the Arts, a Co-visions Recognition Grant from the Colorado Council on the Arts and Humanities, and was one of the recipients of the Museum Educators of the Year Award from the Colorado Arts Education Association. He was named Colorado’s top sculptor in the Rocky Mountain News “Top of the Rockies”. In the late 70’s throughout the 80’s he received several Best of Westword Awards from the Denver based Arts and Entertainment publication, and most recently, in 2019 he was featured as one of Westword’s “Colorado Creatives”.
Parson taught for many years, retiring in 2018, starting his teaching career in 1972. He taught at a wide variety of schools in Michigan and Colorado, as well a worked as a Visiting Artist or Artist in Residence at several schools throughout the country in conjunction with his exhibitions. Some of the western regional institutions he worked at included teaching /chaired departments at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, the University of Denver and most recently the Community College of Denver, Auraria campus. He also did teaching stints at Metropolitan State College, and the University of Colorado at Denver He also instructed graduate level work at Regis University and the University of Denver. He also has done a large range of diverse art-related employment activities throughout his career, including working in the Exhibitions Department at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, where he also was a contract muralist and illustrator from1986 to 2012. From 2018-2020 he was in the mentor role as a Resource Artist at Denver’s Redline Art Center.
In addition to Parson’s extensive exhibitions in galleries, art centers, museums and alternative venues he and his family continue to develop their private art retreat, Sisu, on 35 rural acres in southern Colorado, with over 50 exterior sculptures on site-specific placements. In continuing this passage of the creative tradition from one generation to another parson and his two sons, Collin and Devon have been exhibiting in three-person shows their shared and contrasted artistic sensibilities of this highly creative family.
The second printing 2006 of his first book, The Sanctuary of the Moment. He lectures and speaks throughout the country and can be contacted at cparson.art@gmail.com.
Representation
Mai Wyn Fine Art-Denver, CO.
info@maiwynfineart.com
Education 1970-72 MFA Cranbrook Academy of Art, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan; Major, Painting; Minor, Materials Technology 1966-1970 BFA Kansas City Art Institute, Kansas City, Missouri, Painting/Drawing; Minor, Printmaking 1962-1968 A.E. Backus Studio, Ft. Pierce, Florida; Traditional Landscape Painting
Selected Individual Exhibitions
2019 Horizon Harmonies Mai Wyn Fine Art Gallery, Denver, Colorado
2016 Outside of Memory: A Contemporary View of the Horizon, Museum of Friends, Walsenburg, Colorado
2015 Denver International Airport Gallery and Terminal lobby, Denver, Colorado
2014-2015 Still and Centered Point/Continuance, Colorado Springs Fine Art Center, Colorado Springs, Colorado (in tandem with solo exhibition by Collin Parson)
2006 Balanced Dissolution, Artyard Gallery, Denver, Colorado; interior/exterior works
2005 One person Exhibition/ Charles Parson Dahl Art Center, Rapid City, South Dakota; interior /exterior works
2004 Landscapes Sonnet, Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, Colorado; Sculpture, Sound Installation, Wall Constructions, Drawings
2003 Moments of Being, Leedy Voulkos Art Center, Kansas City, Missouri; Sculptures, Sound Installation, Wall Constructions, Drawings
2002 Framed Choices, Stewart Gallery, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana. Sound/Interactive Installation, Wall Constructions and Drawings
2002 The Vertical Moment, II. Duncan Gallery, Stetson University, DeLand, Florida; - Sound Installation and suite of Drawings - Exterior Sculpture, Subtended Connection
1999 A Sense of Place, Nicolaysen Art Museum, Casper, Wyoming 60’ x 70’ Installation; Sculptures, Wall Constructions, Dimensional Drawings
1999 New Works, Changing Scene Theater Gallery Denver, Colorado; Wall Constructions, Sculptures, full length performance program
1994 Twilight of the Individual Space, Loveland Art Museum, Colorado; Sculptures, Wall Constructions, Interactive Installations, Drawings
1989 One-man Exhibit, F. C. I., New York City, New York; Art and Cuisine Series Wall Constructions, Dimensional Drawings
1987 One Person Exhibits, 2 concurrent exhibits;- Colorado Governor’s Office - Denver Center for the Performing Arts Complex, Denver , Colorado
1987 Last 10 years of Sculpture, Republic Plaza, Denver, Colorado; Large-scale Interior Sculptures
1985 Low Tide on the High Plains, Sangre de Cristo Arts Center, Pueblo, Colorado; 50’ x 50’ interior installation plus Wall Constructions, Drawings and performance
1984 Between the Lines, 55 Mercer Gallery, New York City, New York; Wall installations, Sculptures, Drawings and Wall Constructions
1983 Art in the Streets, Alternative Exhibit, Denver, Colorado; 2 concurrent facets of Public Art; - 10 billboard size dimensional Drawings; - 40 Drawings on rear advertising panels on metro taxi cabs
1983 Individual Exhibit, Nimbus Art Gallery, Dallas, Texas; Sculptures, Wall Constructions, Drawings
1981 Continuance, Schwayder Art Gallery, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado. Large-scale Sculptures, Wall Constructions, exterior Sculpture 110’x15’; performance in gallery
1979 Drift, St. Charles on Wazee Gallery, Denver, Colorado; Interior installation 72’; ext. installation, 52’ x 15’
1978 Echo Series; Three concurrent one-person exhibition activities,
Sebastian-Moore Gallery, Denver, Colorado. Sculpture, Drawings, Wall Constructions
1977 Corridors, 1235 Wazee Alternative Space, Denver, Colorado. 2 facets; - Wall Constructions, Sculptures - Full-Length performance installation programs
1976 M-Blue, End to End, Changing Scene Theater, Denver, Colorado; Installation
1973 Spring Canyon, Saginaw Valley College Gallery, Michigan; Mixed works, installation
1970 One-Man Exhibit, Fort Pierce Art Museum, Florida. Paintings, Drawings
Selected Art Events/Performance/Temporary Installations
2020 Leaping Man Consortium, Sisu Art Retreat, Colorado
2020 Leaping Man Consortium, Redline Contemporary Art Center, Denver, Colorado
2019 Leaping Man Consortium, Redline Contemporary Art Center, Denver, Colorado
2004 3 of 3, Newman Center Theater, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado
2003- Present Earthgate, 28’x64’, Exterior Public Sculpture, Arvada Center for the Arts, Arvada, Colorado; permanent installation Arvada Park System
2002- Subtended Connection, Stetson University, Deland, Florida, Exterior Sculpture 14’x20’x10’
2001 Frame for a Caret, Purdue University, Indiana; Exterior Sculpture, 14’x12’x12’
2001 Three Works, EDAW Architecture, Ft. Collins, Colorado
2001 3 of 3 Performance, St. Barnabus Artist Series, Denver, Colorado; Full length Collaborative Trio
2001 - 03 Earthgate, 28’x64’, Exterior Public Sculpture, Lowery Complex, Denver, Colorado
2000 - 01 Earthgate, 28’x64’, Exterior Public Sculpture, Hudson Park, Englewood, Colorado
2000 Monument to a Wyoming Rancher 14' x 8' x 12', Chicago Navy Pier, Chuicago, Illinois 2000-2012 moved to Peoria Parks, Illinois
1999 Earthgate, 28’x64’, Exterior Public Sculpture, Museum of Public Art, Fiddlers Green, Englewood, Colorado
1999 Steeple, 28’x20’, Exterior Public Sculpture, Chicago Navy-Pier Exhibit, Chicago, Illinois
1999-20012 Steeple, 28’x20’, Exterior Public Sculpture, Northshore Sculpture Park, Skokie, Illinois
1999 Night Vision, Changing Scene Theater, Denver, Colorado. Full length Performance Art Program 3/3
1998 3/3 Performance Works, Collaborative performances in conjunction with Columbine Chamber Music Series, Boulder, Colorado
1996 Frame for a Caret, CAEA Convention, Breckenridge, Colorado; Temporary PA event; 14’ Steel, Ice, Stone
1993 Earth Line, Museum of Outdoor Art, Colorado; Temporary Sculpture, 900’; 19 Panels, Sod, Steel, Polyrope
1992 Home Ground, Kansas City Art Institute; 125’ x 125’ Installation of Sod, Steel, Rope; Temporary ; Kansas City, Missouri
1992 11 Framed Landscapes, Connemera Conservancy, Plano, Texas; Collaborative Installation w/Bruce Taylor, 1000’ long
1991 Memorials to the Living, Changing Scene Theater, Denver, Colorado; Full Length Performance program
1991 Pearl’s Pond, Private Memorial Performance Work, Hazard, KY; 100’ x 100’ waterwork
1989 Earth Shadows, APEX Corporation, New York City, New York; Wall Construction
1989 Transitions in Time and Space. Changing Scene Theater, Full-length Performance Work
1986 Ice Floe, Denver Art Museum, Denver, Colorado. 30’x60’ 5 ton Ice/Steel
1985 Performance Works, Sangre de Cristo Arts Center, Pueblo, Colorado. Performance in conjunction with Low Tide on the High Plains Installation
1983 Performance Works, Denver Art Museum with musician Dr. Mary Jungerman, Denver, Colorado
1981- 1983 Musical/Visual Performance Programs, Tours of Denver Metro Schools; Young Audience Series, Denver, Colorado
1982 Score, Performance Art Lectures and Performances, Denver Metro Schools, Young Audience Series, Denver, Colorado
1981 Lineage, Installation; Platte River, Downtown Denver, Colorado; 2 ½ T Ice, 400’ long, 10 performers
1981 Continuance, Schwayder Art Gallery, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado; Performance in conjunction w/visual artworks on display
1980 High Plains Drift, Schwayder Art Building, University of Denver, Denver, Colorado; 110’ long Steel Exterior Temporary Sculpture
1979 Art and Architecture, Larimer Square, Denver, Colorado; Commissioned Temporary Sculptural Installation
1979 Installation, Atlas Metal and Iron Corp., Denver, Colorado; Wall Construction, 25’ x 100’
1977 Corridors, 1235 Wazee Alternative Space, Denver, Colorado; Performance Installations with original dance and music
1976 Phrasing, (from 5 new Dances), Changing Scene Theater, Denver, Colorado; Performance Work
Selected Stage Design/Consultation (Fine Arts)
1983 Verdi’s Requiem, Denver Center for the Performing Arts, Denver, Colorado; Consultant, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Company
1981 The Love Song of Hillary Sparrow, Telluride Dance Festival and University of Colorado; Barbara Gardner, Choreographer
1979 Nancy Mangus Dance Program, Changing Scene Theater, Denver, Colorado; Special Effects and Props
1977 More Than Yesterday, Changing Scene Theater, Denver, Colorado; Stage Design for Janet Locketz Multi-media Dance Program
1976 Cowgirl Ecstasy, Changing Scene Theater; Set Design for play by playwright Michael Smith
1976 Coupling, Changing Scene Theater; Set Design and Musical Instrument design/ construction for modern dance. Choreography by Al Brooks; Munt-brooks dancers
1976 Quanna Powit Quartet, Changing Scene Theater Denver; Set Design for plays by Israel Horovitz
1975 Together and Apart, Tour of Colorado and New Mexico with Munt-Brooks Dance Company, Set Design, Lighting and Costumes for Multi-media Play by choreography, Al Brooks, music, Joe Kasinskas, Writing, Gary Paulsenvr
Awards
1999 AFKEY Award, Alliance for Contemporary Art, Denver Art Museum
1995 Innovation in the Arts Award, Colorado Federation for the Arts
1995 Museum Art Educator of the Year Award (one of five recipients from DMNH team); Colorado Art Education Association
1995 Co-Visions Artist Recognition Grant, Colorado Council on the Arts and Humanities
1987 Commissioned Awards, Governor’s Awards for Excellence in the Arts
Selected 2-3 Person Exhibits
2019 Three Views: Collin, Devon, and Charles Parson, Durango Arts Center, Durango, Colorado
2019 Three Views: Collin, Devon, and Charles Parson, Lakewood Cultural Center, Lakewood, Colorado
2017-2018 Counterpoint, Museum of Outdoor Art, Englewood, Colorado. Exterior works.
2017 Three Views: Contemporary Work by Charles, Collin, and Devon Parson, Center for the Arts, Evergreen, Colorado
2017 Counterpoint, Museum of Outdoor Art, Englewood, Colorado. Interior works.
2014 Dean Fleming and Charles Parson, Museum of Friends, Walsenburg, Colorado
2006 Lynette O’Kane and Charles Parson, Colorado Mountain College, Glenwood Springs, Colorado
Selected Group Exhibits
2020 Resident Artists Exhibition, Redline Contemporary Art Center, Denver, Colorado
2019 Colorado Abstract +10, Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, Arvada, Colorado
2019 Resident Artists Exhibition, Redline Contemporary Art Center, Denver, Colorado
2018 Salina Biennial, 10 State Competition, Salina Arts and Humanities, Salina, Kansas
2018 Looking Back/Moving Forward: 40th Anniversary Exhibition, Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, Arvada, Colorado
2015 Water Show, Museum of Friends, Walsenburg, Colorado
2015 Insight, Mai Wyn Fine Art, Denver, Colorado
2014-present Sculpture in the Field, Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, Arvada, Colorado
2011 Practice What You Teach, works by Colorado Community College art faculty. Colorado State Capital, Denver, Colorado
Sculpture: A Wyoming Invitational, University of Wyoming Art Museum, Laramie, Wyoming. Monumental site-specific exterior works.
2011 Sculpture on 73rd Ave, Westminister, Colorado
2010 100 Years of Colorado Art, Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, Arvada, Colorado
2009 Colorado Abstraction, Center for the Visual Arts, Denver, Colorado
2009 Southern Colorado Sculptors, Steamplant Art Center, Salida, Colorado
2008-10 Sculpture Invitational, University of Wyoming Art Museum, Larimie, Wyoming
2008 Anniversary Celebration, Foothills Art Center, Golden, Colorado
2008 Figurative Sculptural Works, Emmanuel Gallery, Denver, Colorado
2008 & 2009 Design After Dark, Kjos/Parson Collaboration; Redline Gallery, Denver
2006 O’Kane and Parson, Colorado Mountain College Gallery, Glenwood Springs, Co.
2005 Two –Person Exhibit Schantz and Parson, Artpost Gallery, Milwaukee region
2004 Sculpture, Art Students League, Denver, Colorado
2004 Purdue 25th Anniversary Show, Purdue University Galleries, IN
2003 Expansions, Lakewood Cultural Arts Center, CO: Curator, -Interior, Process -Exterior, Sculptures
2003 5 Movements, Ft. Hills Art Center, Golden, Colorado
2003 Kansas City Sculpture Garden, Stretch Studios, Kansas City , MO. 12’x6’x6’
2002 15 years, Mangold & Parson, 2 person Exhibit, Artyard Gallery, Denver, CO
2002 Frame for a Caret, Stetson University, Deland, FL. Exterior Public Scuplture, 14’x20’
2001 5 Views, Holter Museum, Helena, MT
2000 Pier-Walk International Sculpture Exhibit, Chicago, IL
2000 The Invisible Museum, Guireys Gallery Denver, CO
1998-2006 Northshore Sculpture Park, Skokie, IL
1999 Earth, Air Fire, Water, The Elements, Museum of Outdoor Art, Englewood, CO; EG, 28’ x 110’
1999 3D Chicago, Vedanta Gallery, Chicago, IL; Model Exhibit
1999 Western Vernacular, Museum of Contemporary Art, Denver, CO; 45’x45’
1999-00 Society for the Preservation of Humanity, Englewood Parks, CO
1999 New Works. Only Contemporary Art Gallery, Ft. Collins, CO
1999 Gallery Artists, Artyard Gallery, Denver, CO
1999 25 Years of Abstract Art, Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities, CO
1999 All-Colorado Exhibition, Juror, Western Center for the Arts, Grand Junction, CO
1998 Pier-Walk International Sculpture Exhibit, Chicago, IL; 2 ½ story tall sculpture
1998 Three sculptors (Mangold, Beardsley, Parson); Vail Public Arts Program
1998 Group Blu Gallery, Palm Springs, CA
1998 Colorado Artists,Only Contemporary Art Gallery, Ft. Collins, CO
1998 3D Chicago, Models, Woodstreet Gallery, Chicago
1997-98 8 Colorado Artists, Nicolaysen Art Museum, Casper, Wyoming; One West Art Center, Ft. Collins, CO
1997-98 Burns Park Finalists, Models, 1/1 Gallery, Denver
1997-98 Harmony Gallery Artists, Ft. Collins, CO
1996 Gallery Artists, Lumina Gallery, Taos, New Mexico
1996 20/20 Vision, Arvada Center for the Arts, CO
1996 Sculptures,Steam Plant Arts Center, Sculpture Garden, Sailda, CO
1995 Arts Innovation Awards Exhibit, Temple Buell Theater, Denver, CO
1992 AFCA Exhibit, Denver Art Museum, CO
1992 Connemera Artists, Plano Center for the Arts, Plano, TX
1991 Diverse Works, One West Arts Center, Ft. Collins, CO
1991 60 Sq. Inches, Purdue University (Purchase Award)
1991 Installations, One West Arts Center, Ft. Collins, CO
1991 Prints, Leedy-Voulkus Arts Center, Kansas City, MO
1991 Screens, Invitational, YMCA Gallery, Denver, CO
1991 Atmospheres, Edge Gallery, Denver, CO; 2-Person exhibit with Steve Steele
1990 Value is Value, Artyard Gallery, Denver, CO
1990 6 Installation Artists, Phillip J. Steele Gallery, Denver. CO
1990 Orders, Pyramid Arts Center, Rochester, NY
1989 Colorado Sculpture, Aspen Art Museum, CO; 20’ x 72’ ext. installation
1989 Group Exhibit, Artyard Gallery, Denver, CO
1988 Fountains, Artyard Gallery, Denver, CO
1988 Five Regional Artists, Denver Chamber of Commerce
1988 New Acquisitions, City of Westminster, CO;
1987 Colorado Drawing Show, Arvada Center for the Arts, CO; 4 works including 10’ x 18’ x 2’
1987 Form, Public Sculpture, Colorado College, Colorado Springs, CO; 6’ x 110’ x 2’ Installation, Site-work
1986 Wall Construction, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
1986 SHOW TITLE Arne Hansen Art gallery, Vail, CO; Construction/Drawing
1985 Colorado Artists, Arvada Center for the Arts, CO
1984 The Denver/Boulder Exhibit, Seven Artists at the Claremont Arts Galleries, Los Angeles, CA: 14 works by Parson
1984 Inkfish Sculptors, Rickey, Bertoia, Parson, Day, Waters; Inkfish Gallery, Denver, CO
1984 Three Large Sculptures, Arvada Center for the Arts
1984 Sculpture in the Park, Boulder, CO; 15’ x 36’ x 4’
1983 New Acquisitions, Denver Art Museum
1983 Other Than 2-Dimensional, Emmanuel Gallery
1982 State of the Arts, Denver Art Museum; 5 person Invitational; Exterior Sculpture, 6’ x 24’ x 3’ 1981, Third Annual Sculpture in the Park, Boulder, CO; 7’ x 36’ x 10’
1980 Second Annual Sculpture in the Park Exhibit, Boulder, CO; 20’ x 110’ x 8’
1979 First Annual Vail Outdoor Sculpture Exhibit, Vail, CO
1979 Twelve in the Park, Boulder, CO; 9’ x 50’ x 15’
1978 New Directions in Media, Three person Exhibit, Foster Art Gallery, University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire
1978 Connelly and Parson, Two person Exhibit, Maggie Kress Art Gallery, Taos, New Mexico